06/06/2025
Statement by
Engr. Dr. Roseline Ada Chenge (FNSE)
Former Managing Director of the Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority
and former Benue State Governorship Aspirant, Condemns Killings in Benue State and Proffers Solution to the Nigerian insurgency.
Date: June 5, 2025
It is with deep sorrow and great concern that I, Engr. Dr. Roseline Ada Chenge (FNSE)
Former Managing Director of the Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority and a former Governorship Aspirant Benue State , addresses the ongoing violence perpetrated by criminals and illegal immigrants in the name of herdsmen. The relentless attacks have claimed numerous innocent lives, leaving thousands of women and children homeless and communities in despair.
I call on His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, the Executive Governor of Benue State, to take decisive action to protect the lives and properties of the people who voted him ,
“As a Reverend Father, a and the chief security officer of the state the people of Benue state your first priority is to save lives not mongering for power and more power , labelling all who condemn the killings in Benue as those who will not want you to run a second tenure, at the rate things are going where Naka,a town which is less than an hour drive from the state head quarter is no longer habitable ,where do you think that Makurdi will be in two years time I ask Governor Alia to secure the citizens in this four years mandate he been given
I am deeply pained and heartbroken when I see innocent women and children brutally killed by heartless and wicked criminals in their homes ,it clearly shows that what is going on in Benue and other north central states of Nigeria is not herders / farmers clashes but barbaric activities by criminals and illegal immigrants.
The former President of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari’s acknowledged that these perpetrators are immigrant criminals causing unrest in Nigeria. I noted that since 2013, countless military personnel have died fighting this non conventional war, it is unacceptable ,The Nigeria Army has it's score card high right from their role and engagement in the second world-war to all other international engagements .
The use of coordinated Information Technology for surveillance is the only solution to this kind of battles as this is not a conventional war , Drawing from my extensive travels across Benue and Nigeria, we must all admit that porosity of the northern borders due to fact that it borders different countries by land is the major cause of this problem mores that the neighbouring have severe security and economic challenges.
I also calls for enhanced collaboration as well as information sharing among security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police, Immigration Service, Office of National Security Adviser(NSA), the Nigerian Army ,the Airforce and NARSDA
On behalf the entire Benue women i appreciate the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for deploying the Chief of Army Staff to Benue state
Your Excellency Mr. President, the Forest Guards you pronounced is a very welcome how ever may you consider the recruitment of the individuals to have the traditional rulers at the center of the process Their deep-rooted connection to local communities, understanding of regional dynamics, and commitment to environmental stewardship uniquely position them to ensure a transparent, equitable, and effective as well as ensure only indigenes. of each community with high moral integrity is enlisted Assigning this responsibility to traditional rulers would foster community trust, enhance local engagement, and align the selection of forest guards with the cultural and environmental priorities of the regions they serve. This approach would strengthen the protection of our forests
And also enable the Nigeria Army to be more focused on preparing it self for any external aggression that will undermine our territorial integrity
Finally, I therefore; emphasized that no law-abiding citizen deserves to live in fear of loosing their lives ,All criminals who violate the law should face justice, I demand for justice for the over 50000 lives of Benue people that have been killed since 2012 without no provocation ,
Engr. Dr. Roseline Ada Chenge (FNSE)
Former Managing Director of the Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority
and Benue State Governorship Aspirant
